GENERAL.

MANY thousands of Englishmen heard with thankfulness last week that Abraham Lincoln had been elected a second time President of the United States. Their interest in the event was founded on the fact, that it is a triumph of the anti-slavery principles which the English people have long professed, and which have now been proclaimed by a popular vote to be the only principles upon which the Government of the United States can be conducted. Had General M'Clellan been elected, he would have gone for the Union, but not for the abolition of slavery. Mr. Lincoln goes for the Union, indeed, primarily; but, secondarily, for the abolition of slavery. We devoutly hope that this great triumph of the anti-slavery cause is the prelude to the speedy cessation of the war.

Next in importance to the Presidential election, the event of the month is the final determination of the struggle between Germany and Denmark. The treaty of peace has been definitely signed. Germany retires from the contest with "material guarantees." Denmark retires, despoiled and wounded, indeed, but-with her honour intact.

The papers have been occupied during the past week or two with cases of clerical intolerance. One of these cases occurred at Colyton, in Devonshire, where the vicar, the Rev. M. Gueritz, refused to read the burial service of the Church of England over a parishioner-"an exceedingly worthy man, humble, diffident, and tenderhearted" because, though "baptized," he was a Unitarian. In this case the vicar is to be brought before a court of law. Another case occurred at Woodston, near Peterborough, where the clergyman insisted on reading the service contrary to the wish of the relatives. He would not allow the body to be buried without the service, and actually read the service to himself and his clerk, after the relatives of the deceased had been driven from the ground. We have nothing to say of the tenderheartedness of these clergymen, who select for their cruelties the hour of a man's deepest sorrow, and inflict them in the name of Christ. All these cases are, however, illustrations of the need there is for an Act, such as Sir Morton Peto proposed, to make the national burial-grounds really national.

Much discussion has been caused during the month, by the proposal of Mr. Robinson, which was accepted with enthusiasm by the Baptist Union, to petition Parliament for an inquiry into the rightness and the policy of the State-Church system. So far as we know, the proposal has been accepted by Baptists everywhere; by some others, whose opinion is worthy of respect, the proposal has been received with doubt, if not with opposition. We regret to record the fact that the secretaries of the Congregational Union-not, be it observed, the Union itself-refused to receive the deputation from the Baptist Union, which was appointed to lay the matter before them for their consideration. Our own opinion as to the rightness of the proposal grows stronger with reflection. We hope that some practical measures will be suggested soon, having no doubt that by Baptists, at least, they will be eagerly welcomed.

Many of our readers have read in the papers ac

counts of the great storm at Calcutta. They wil regret to learn, however, that the premises of the Baptist Mission, both at Calcutta and at Serampore, have been seriously injured by the hurricane. Dr. Carey's Botanic Garden, the solace of the last hours in which he could be drawn about in a hand carriage, the memorial of the earliest amusement and relaxation of one of the noblest-hearted of men -Dr. Carey's Botanic Garden is no more. The last number of the overland Friend of India tells us that "Dr. Carey's garden, which was adorned with some rare and beautiful trees, contains now only a few melancholy stumps." Serampore has, indeed, suffered fearfully from the late storm. The loss to the Mission, both there and at Calcutta, is estimated at not less than from twelve to thirteen hundred pounds. It is hoped that this loss will be met by some special effort, so that the operations of the Mission may not be crippled by the loss.

The annual meetings of the Baptist Association of Scotland have been held lately in Edinburgh. The first meeting, which was on Wednesday, October 26th, was exclusively devotional. On the Thursday morning following the annual business meeting was attended by a considerable number of the members of the Association; reports being presented as to the finances and work of the Association, and points connected with the further development of its usefulness discussed. This meeting was followed by a public conference, when "The external and internal impediments to the progress of the Baptist denomination in Scotland," were the subject of a lively and interesting discussion. From the members attending the meeting, the reports presented, and the spirit of goodwill and hopefulness which pervaded the meetings, they were felt to augur well for the future of our denomination in Scotland. After an excellent repast provided by the hospitality of the Edinburgh brethren, a public meeting was held in the evening, under the presidency of the Rev. Jonathan Watson. An appropriate address from the venerable chairman opened the meeting, which was afterwards addressed by the Rev. Dr. Paterson, of Glasgow, on "The rights of conscience," and by the Rev. Mr. Davis, of Aberdeen, on "The Christian in his social intercourse with the world." On the whole, the proceedings of the day must have proved not only of great interest, but highly useful in encouraging all present in the effort to advance those principles of our Church polity and those views of Scripture truth which are specially needed in the lethargic ecclesiasticism which characterizes the northern part of the kingdom.

DOMESTIC.

BADCOX-LANE CHAPEL, FROME.-On Thursday, Oct. 20th, this place of worship, which had been closed for the last six months, during which time it had undergone a most complete and thorough restoration, was re-opened under circumstances of unusual interest. On entering the building every person would at once be struck with the chaste and tasteful manner in which the alterations had been effected; and when it is borne in mind that a considerable portion of the expense incurred had arisen from the addition of a new roof, it appeared

to all who had had anything to do with similar works a marvel that so much could be done for so comparatively small an amount-£900 being the total sum expended on the whole work. The reopening services commenced by an early prayermeeting in the vestry on the Thursday morning. In the afternoon a public service was held in the chapel, when a numerous congregation assembled. The devotional exercises and reading of Scripture were conducted by the Rev. T. G. Rooke, B.A., and an excellent sermon was preached by the Rev. C. Vince, of Birmingham, from 1 John iii. 3. At five o'clock a public tea meeting was held in the schoolroom, at which 350 persons were present. At seven o'clock a public meeting was held, and the chapel was crowded in every part. W. Fowler, Esq., of Trowbridge, presided, and, after singing and prayer, the Rev. W. Burton stated that the total cost of the alterations had been £900, towards which they had received in cash and promises about £750. Addresses full of hearty congratulation and earnest desire for the spiritual prosperity of the people meeting for worship in their renovated sanctuary, were then given by the Revs. E. Edwards, of Frome, S. S. Pugh (Devizes), C. J. Middleditch, C. Vince, and T. G. Rooke. The devotional services of the evening were led by the Revs. Hugh Anderson (Bratton), John Davis (Arlington), and James Hannam (Wincanton). On the following Sunday sermons were preached in the morning and evening by the Right Hon. Lord Teynham to large audiences. The collections made at the reopening services reduce the debt to £100.

MILTON, CAMBS.-For nearly half a century this village has been a preaching station of the Baptists, and it was one of the first places visited by the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon as a village preacher. For several years service was held in an old barn fitted up for the purpose, which became so dilapidated, that about four years ago the preaching was given up for want of a place in which to worship. Several attempts have been made to secure a piece of land on which to erect a chapel, but until the present without success. A short time since a very eligible piece of freehold land was presented by Mr. Isaac Coulson, and having been legally conveyed into the hands of the trustees, the foundation-stone was laid on Wednesday, Nov. 9th. A few minutes after three o'clock, G. Livett, Esq., of Cambridge, ascended a temporary platform erected for the occasion. After singing and prayer by the Rev. J. C. Wells, of Cottenham, the Rev. G. Sear, of Histon, on behalf of the trustees, presented Mr. Livett with a silver trowel, with which, after delivering an earnest and powerful address, he proceeded to lay the stone. The Rev. W. Robinson, of Cambridge, also delivered an address. On retiring from the ground about one hundred and twenty persons sat down to a very excellent tea. At six o'clock a public meeting was held, and addressed by G. Livett, Esq., who accepted the chair; and the Revs. J. C. Wells, of Cottenham; E. S. Neale, Waterbeach; J. C. Wooster, Landbeach; G. Sear, Histon; and J. Smith, from the Metropolitan Tabernacle College. The collections were liberal, and a spirit of earnestness characterized the whole proceedings.

EARL'S BARTON, NORTHAMPTON.-The Baptist Sunday-school in this place, in its earliest years the only public educational institution in the place, was commenced in May, 1814, in the table-pew of the old meeting-house. It now numbers 160 scholars, and its history has been marked by many additions to the church, and much good to the village at large. One of its former scholars has

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been engaged for many years as one of the most useful preachers of the Gospel in the West of England, while it may be regarded as having incidentally led to the establishment of the flourishing British School now conducted in the capacious room built for its use. The Sunday-school jubilee celebrated by three sermons on Sunday, Oct. 16th; that in the morning by the pastor, the Rev. T. Phillips; and that in the afternoon and evening by the Rev. John Nickalls, of Prince'sstreet Chapel, Northampton. On the following Tuesday afternoon the Rev. T. Arnold, of Doddridge Chapel, Northampton, delivered an admirable discourse in commemoration of the same event. At the public tea meeting the schoolroom was well filled. The public meeting in the evening was presided over by J. Perry, jun. Esq., J.P., was well attended, and was effectively addressed by the chairman, the Rev. R. E. Bradfield, of Rushden, the Rev. W. Kitchen, Mr. George Hall, of Hardingstone, and Mr. William Sheffield, for upwards of a quarter of a century the untiring and patient superintendent of the school. The feeling which pervaded the various speeches and engagements was characterized by much thankfulness, devotion, and earnestness.

BACK-STREET, TROWBRIDGE.-On Wednesday, October 26th, the church and congregation held a tea-meeting to commemorate the 121st anniversary of the founding of the church, and the twenty-first of the pastorate of Mr. Barnes. It was a very large and animated gathering, the chief speakers being Mr. Roberts, of Bristol, and Mr. Wassell, of Bath. The pastor supplied the following statistics :-In 1843, the church consisted of 283 members, of whom 203 are dead or removed. Of the remaining eighty, not less than twenty are incapacitated by old age or otherwise from attendance, so that only sixty remain in actual fellowship. In the twenty-one years, 547 members have been added, or rather more than twenty-seven per annum. No year has been barren. The lowest yearly addition was ten, the rest ranging from this minimum to forty, fifty, and in one year to over sixty. Mr. Evans, senior deacon, narrated various interesting incidents in the history of the church, both before and during Mr. Barnes's pastorate. Within the latter period, the chapel has been twice enlarged, the schoolroom enlarged, class-rooms erected, and a pretty branch chapel built, which has a flourishing school and congregation. Mr. Evans then, in behalf of the meeting, presented to Mr. Barnes a valuable gold watch and appendages, as a memento of the occasion. After a suitable response from the pastor, and a telling address from W. Fowler, Esq., the evening was concluded with singing and prayer.

BOXMOOR, HERTS.-The new Baptist chapel at Boxmoor, erected for the church of which the Rev. H. C. Leonard, M.A., is pastor, was opened for Divine service on Wednesday, October 26th, when the Rev. F. Tucker and the Rev. J. Stoughton preached to large congregations. The devotional services were conducted by the Revs. W. Upton, of St. Alban's, David Thomas, of Bristol, W. Emery, of Hemel Hempstead, and T. Peters, of Watford. A large company partook of dinner and tea in the schoolroom, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. The old chapel, which was demolished to make room for the present one, was erected largely by the efforts of the sisters of Dr. Carey, whose remains are interred in the chapel yard, and was opened on Wednesday, October 26th, 1825. The Revs. Maurice Jones, F. W. Gotch, M,A., LL.D., and B. Pratten, B.A., successively

ministered to the church before the settlement of/ the present pastor. The new chapel is a handsome Gothic structure in the early English style, with tower and pinnacle. There are 500 sittings. The cost is about: £1,050, including extras. A large number of pastors and deacons of churches in neighbouring towns were present at the opening services

PERSHORE, WORCESTERSHIRE. -On Thursday, October 27th, meetings in connection with the settlement of the Rev. J. W. Ashworth (late of Oldham) as pastor of the Baptist church and congregation meeting in Broad-street Chapel in this town, were held, and numerously attended. In the afternoon, the Rev. C. Vince, of Birmingham, preached an excellent sermon to a crowded con gregation from 2 Peter i. 11. The Revs. T.. James, of Studley,, and W. Symonds, of Pershore, also took part in the service. At five o'clock a tea-meeting was held in the new Music-hall, when 300 persons sat down to tea. The chair was occu pied by H. Hudson, Esq., who opened the pro-ceedings after tea in an appropriate and congra tulatory address. Suitable and practical addresses were also given by the Revs. H. E. Von Sturmer,. of Worcester, M. Philpin, of Alcester, J. Horne, of Evesham, J. Phillips, of Astwood-bank, and by the Rer. J. W. Ashworth. The pleasure of the evening was much enhanced by the attendance of the chapel choir, who sang a selection of aps propriate music at intervals during the proceed ings.

HORSFORTH, NEAR LEEDS.-Public services in connection with the ordination of the Rev. J. Harper, took place in the Baptist chapel, Horsforth, on Wednesday, November 9th. The afternoon service commenced at 2.30, when the Rev. H. Rowson, of Idle, read the Scriptures, and prayed. The introductory discourse was given by the Rev. S. G. Green, B.A., President of Rawdon College,, from Acts xi. 25, 26. At the close of this dis course a statement was read by the senior deacon, Mr. D. Craven. Then the Rev. T. How, of Shrewsbury, asked the young minister the usual questions, which were clearly answered, and offered the ordination prayer. Another service. began in the evening at six o'clock, when the Rev. E. Parker, of Farsley, read and offered prayer. The charge was delivered by the Rev. James Acworth, LL, D., of Scarborough, from 2 Tim. iv. 5. After this the Rev. J. P. Chown, of Bradford, delivered a very appropriate address to the church and congregation bearing on their duties to their pastor: All the services were passed over with great interest and pleasure.

TRINITY ROAD CHAPEL, HALIFAX.-On Tuesday, Nov. 8th, a tea-meeting was held in the schoolroom of the Baptist chapel, Trinity-road, Halifax, in connection with the recognition of the Rev. Joseph Drew, late of Newbury, Berkshire, as pastor of this church. About six hundred persons sat down: In the evening a crowded public meeting was held in the chapel, John Crossley, Esq., presiding. The chairman opened the meeting with some very kind and appropriate remarks. The Rev. H. Dowson, Bradford, welcomed the Rev: J. Drew on behalf of the church. The Rev. J. Drew made an interesting and impressive speech, in the course of which he gave a most satisfactory statement of his principles as a citizen, a Christian, and a minister of the Gospel. Rev. Jas. Pridie (senior Independent minister of Halifax) then offered prayer. Addresses were afterwards delivered by the Revs, J. P. Chown: Bradford; J. J. Brown, Birmingham; W. Roberts,

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Square; J. Makepeace, Bradford; and J. Michael, Pellon-lane.

BATHEASTON.-On Tuesday evening, Oct. 11th, a public meeting was held at the Mission House belonging to R. Heywood, Esq., to bid farewell to the Rev. T. C. Finch, on his leaving this station. About 200 persons sat down to.tea. Mr. C. Clark, of Argyle-street, occupied the chair, and in a few appropriate remarks introduced the object of the meeting, and called upon the Rev. Mr. Pooley, of Chippenham, to address the assembly. Mr. Gr Bullock then rose, and in the name of the congre gation presented Mr. Finch with a purse of twenty guineas, as an expression of their esteem. Mr. Finch, in acknowledging, the testimonial,. briefly referred to the circumstances of his coming. to the village, and of his leaving it, reserving his parting address till Sunday evening. The Rev. W. H. Dyer and M. J. Melluish next addressed the meeting. Mr. Finch's address, for the present, is 12, Brunswick-street, Bath. He is ready to supply any vacant church.

MARY'S-GATE, DERBY.-The recognition services. in connection with the settlement of the Rev. H.. Crassweller as pastor of Mary's-gate Chapel, Derby, took place on Lord's day, Oct. 16th, and on the following Wednesday. On the Sunday the pastor preached in the morning, and the Rev. R.. B. Isaac, of Woolwich, preached in the evening... The congregations were large, and the services. of considerable interest. On Wednesday a very large tea-meeting was held, and about four hundred sat down to tea. After tea a public meeting was held in the chapel, when the chair was taken by the Rev. H. Ollard, F.S.A., who opened the proceedings in an appropriate address. The Revs. W. Crosbie, R. B. Isaae, H. Crassweller, and Mr. G. Stephenson (the senior deacon of the church), also addressed the meeting. Special regret was expressed at the unavoidable absence of the Rev. J. Stevenson, the late esteemed pastor. HARBORNE, NEAR BIRMINGHAM.-The Baptists of Harborne are now erecting a new chapel. On Tuesday, Oct. 11th, the memoria stone was laids by Sir Samuel Morton Peto, Bart., M.P. place was quite crowded, and presented a scene of animation and interest. The Rev. T. McLean, the minister, read a statement setting forth the cir cumstances which had led to the erection of the new building. The stone was then laid by Sir S. M. Peto, who made a speech congratulating his friends that the voluntary principle was doing so much, and especially that the Bishop of London had called for voluntary aid to extend church. accommodation in London. The Rev. R. W. Dale and the Rev. C. Vince also spoke, and the Rev. Dr. Evans, of Scarborough, pronounced the bene diction.

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WATFORD.-On Monday, October 24th, very interesting services were held in the Baptist chapel, Watford, for the purpose of recognizing and welcoming the Rev. T. Peters (late of Kingsbridge)) as pastor of the church. In the afternoon, at three o'clock, an admirable and appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. Charles Vince. In the evening (after a public meeting, which was well attended), the Rev. Dr. Angus took the chair, and addresses were delivered by him; by the Rev. C. Bailhache, the late pastor; the Rev. H. C. Leonard, M.A., of Boxmoor; the Rev. T. Peters; and by Mr. J. J. Smith, of Watford, and Mr. Heaton, of London. All the addresses were of as congratulatory character. The congregations, both in the afternoon and in the evening, were very gratifying.

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